Hong Kong Broker Pulling A "Borat" On Sarah Palin

Hopefully Sarah Palin realizes she's been
invited to Hong Kong almost certainly as a practical joke.

CLSA, the Asia-focused broker who invited Mrs. Palin as keynote
speaker for an Asian investment conference, is well
known for their cheeky takes on investment research.

In the past, they've polled Asian fortune tellers for index
targets, hired anime cartoonists to draw Japanese research, and
generally love to push the boundaries between entertainment and
analysis. They are a real research firm, it's just that they love
to sprinkle in some hilarity every now and then as a smart
marketing gimmick.

Sarah Palin is this year's big laugh for them.

Her invitation as keynote speaker in Hong Kong is so ridiculous
that its absurdity can't be accidental.

WSJ: Palin " who's never been to East Asia and isn't exactly
famous for her mastery of public speaking or her expertise in
finance and international affairs " might seem an unusual choice
for an event that, according to CLSA, is Asia's premier
investment conference providing unrivalled corporate access to
1,300 global fund managers from 32 countries, representing more
than $10 trillion in funds under management.

AP: "Our keynote speakers are notable luminaries who often
address topics that go beyond traditional finance such as
geopolitics," company spokeswoman Simone Wheeler said in a
statement. "We just felt it would be a fabulous opportunity for
CLSA clients to hear from Mrs. Palin," Wheeler said, adding that
CLSA approached Palin with the offer.

This is the straight-faced professional comedy which CLSA does so
well. Palin probably doesn't know what she's in for. If you will,
she's being "Borat'ed" and doesn't have the Asia knowledge to
realize it.